Belly-supporting treadmill

ABSTRACT

A belly-supporting treadmill includes a base, a loop supported on the base, a strut supported on the base and a contact unit connected to the strut above the loop. The contact unit is adapted to contact a user&#39;s belly to prevent the user from falling while exercising on the loop.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a treadmill and, more particularly, to a belly-supporting treadmill.

2. Related Prior Art

There are various types of exercise machines to facilitate users to exercise various muscles. For example, weight-training exercise machines are used for training aims, squat exercise machines are used for training hips and legs, and treadmills are used to facilitate to walk and/or run fast thereon.

As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,614,337, a treadmill includes a movable surface 1, a housing 2 and support bars 3. Movable surface 1 is a planar face. The movable surface 1 includes step slats 4. Step slats 4 are interconnected so that they together become a loop. The loop is driven by a motor 33 inserted in the housing 2. A user can walk and/or run on the movable surface 1. The user can hold the support bars 3 to help him or her keep balance while accelerating or decelerating. However, the user might not have enough strength or time to hold the support bars 3 to avoid falling.

A similar treadmill is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,343,016. However, upper belt portion 26B of closed loop treadmill belt 26 extends in a concave manner. No support bars, rails or handles are disclosed to help the user keep balance in exercise.

As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,063,647, FIGS. 33-35 in particular, a treadmill includes a frame 12, a continuous belt 36 supported on frame 12, a blocking dummy 18 supported on frame 12, and a tether 250 for tying a user to blocking dummy 18 for example. Although provided around the user's waist, tether 250 is inadequate to prevent the user from falling.

As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,066,865, a treadmill is made with a fore frame strut 115, an aft frame strut 130, a beam 160, an aft waist harness 136, a fore waist harness 138 and an overhead harness 151. Fore and aft frame struts 115 and 130 are supported on a base. Beam 160 is supported on fore and aft frame struts 115 and 130. Aft waist harness 136 is used to tie a user to aft frame strut 130. Fore waist harness 138 is used to tie the user to fore frame strut 115. Overhead harness 151 is used to tie a user to beam 160. However, it is troublesome to tie the harnesses 136, 138 and 151. Moreover, harnesses 136, 138 and 151 might be inadequate to prevent the user from falling since they are elastic tethers. What is worse, harnesses 136, 138 and 151 might strangle the user should the user fall.

As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,675,838, a treadmill includes a restricting unit 50 that includes two straps 51 and 52. Strap 51 includes a retaining portion 56 formed between a left restricting portion 57 and a right restricting portion 58. A user places his or her waist against the retaining portion 56 while walking or running on the treadmill. However, restraining unit 50 might be inadequate to prevent the user from falling since the straps 51 and 52 are elastic tethers.

The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is the primary objective of the present invention to provide a belly-supporting treadmill.

To achieve the foregoing objective, the belly-supporting treadmill includes a base, a loop supported on the base, a strut supported on the base and a contact unit connected to the strut above the loop. The contact unit is adapted to contact a user's belly to prevent the user from falling while exercising on the loop.

Other objectives, advantages and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following description referring to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described via detailed illustration of five embodiments referring to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a treadmill according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a protective unit of the treadmill shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the protective unit of the treadmill shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the protective unit shown in FIG. 2 and a user;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the protective unit shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a protective unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a protective unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a protective unit according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a protective unit according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a side view of the protective unit shown in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, a treadmill 10 includes a base 11, a frame (not numbered) and a protective unit 50 supported on base 11. Base 11 includes two lateral bars 12, a shell 13, a loop 14, a front support 15 and a rear support 16. Lateral bars 12 are located on two lateral sides of base 11. A lower face of base 11 is connected to front and rear supports 15 and 16. Front and rear supports 15 and 16 are laid on a floor and operable to change the tilt of the base 11.

Shell 13 is preferably supported on a front portion of base 11. Shell 13 is used to cover and protect electrical and mechanical parts such as a circuit board, a motor and a transmission that includes gears, chains, pulleys and/or belts.

A loop 14 is provided around a platform (not shown) and at least two rollers (not shown). The platform and the rollers are located between and supported on the lateral bars 12. Loop 14 is preferably a continuous belt. In another embodiment, loop 14 can be made of step slats connected to one another.

The frame includes a left banister 20, a right banister 30 and a front sub-frame 40. A user can hold any portion of the frame to keep balance. Structurally, left banister 20 is similar to right banister 30. Left banister 20 includes a front post 22, a rear post 24 and a bar 26. Front and rear posts 22 and 24 are supported on one of lateral bars 12. Bar 26 is supported on front and rear posts 22 and 24. Right banister 30 includes a front post 32, a rear post 34 and a bar 36. Front and rear posts 32 and 34 are supported on the other lateral bar 12. Bar 36 is supported on front and rear post 32 and 34.

Front sub-frame 40 includes an upper portion, a lower portion and a middle portion. The upper portion includes a bent crossbar 41 made with two ends connected to front posts 22 and 32. Crossbar 41 is located behind front posts 22 and 32.

The middle portion includes another bent crossbar 42 and two longitudinal bars 43 and 44. Crossbar 42 includes two ends connected to crossbar 41. Each of longitudinal bars 43 and 44 includes an upper end connected to crossbar 42.

The lower portion includes another crossbar 45. Crossbar 45 is a rectilinear element including two ends connected to front post 22 and 32. Crossbar 45 will be further described.

While using treadmill 10, the user walks or runs on the surface of loop 14. Hence, loop 14 is moved on base 11. The user can hold left and right banisters 20 and 30 or the upper, middle or lower portion of front sub-frame 40. Thus, the user can change his or her poses, keep balance and exercise various portion of his or her body such as arms, waist or legs.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a mount 46 is connected to the lower portion of front sub-frame 40, i.e., crossbar 45. A control unit 471 is connected to mount 46 so that the former is pivotable relative to the latter and that the former is detachable from the latter. Control unit 471 is located between longitudinal bar 43 and 44. By operating control unit 471, the user executes functions of treadmill 10. Control unit 471 can be a control panel or a portable communication device such as a smart phone and iPad. Control unit 471 includes a display for showing data and software programs run therein. Control unit 471 is electrically connected to the circuit board, the motor and/or the transmission. By observing control unit 471, the user understands the state of treadmill 10 and accordingly adjusts treadmill 10, such as on or off, acceleration or deceleration, tilt and resistance against the movement of loop 14. The resistance is frictional or magnetic. Two types of resistance are preferred. In this case, a controller 28 is provided on left banister 20 and operable to adjust the frictional resistance. Another controller 38 is provided on right banister 30 and operable to adjust the magnetic resistance.

Protective unit 50 is connected to two lugs 47 and 48 that are connected to crossbar 45 by welding. Protective unit 50 includes a strut 51 and a contact unit 52. Strut 51 is connected to lugs 47 and 48. Contact unit 52 is connected to strut 51 and located above loop 14. In use, contact unit 52 is operable to contact the user's belly U4 to help the user keep the user's body U1 in balance (FIG. 4).

Preferably, contact unit 52 includes two buffers 521 and 522. Each of buffers 521 and 522 is a soft tubular element preferably made of a foam material.

Strut 51 can be a rod, a tube or a telescopic element. Strut 51 is preferably connected to lugs 47 and 48 via a connective unit 60. In another embodiment, strut 51 can however be connected to lugs 47 and 48 by welding or threaded bolts.

Preferably, strut 51 is a telescopic element that includes an external tube 53 and an internal tube 54. External tube 53 includes two apertures 532 and two slots 533. Apertures 532 are made in two opposite sides of external tube 53, near an open end of external tube 53. Slots 533 are made in the opposite sides of external tube 53. Each slot 533 is located near a corresponding aperture 532. Internal tube 54 includes a yoke 541 formed at an end. Yoke 541 is a V-shaped portion so that internal tube 54, which includes yoke 541, is a Y-shaped element. Yoke 541 includes two branches each of which is fitted in and adhered to a corresponding one of buffers 521 and 522. Hence, contact unit 52 is V-shaped. Another end of internal tube 54 is inserted in an open end 531 of external tube 53 and kept there by a threaded bolt 534. Threaded bolt 534 is operable to allow movement of internal tube 54 in external tube 53 and keep them in a desired position relative to each other. Hence, the total length L of contact unit 52 is adjustable.

Connective unit 60 includes two connecting elements 61 and 62, two lateral strips 63, a pivot 70, two washers 72 and 73, two pins 74 and 75 and a pad unit 80. Connecting element 61 is preferably in the form of a tube while connecting element 62 is preferably in the form of a plate. Connecting elements 61 and 62 are located between and connected to lateral strips 63 so that lateral strips 63 are separated from each other by a gap. Lateral strips 63 are identical to each other. Each lateral strips 63 includes a primary aperture 64, positioning apertures 65 and a recess 66.

Connective unit 60 and external tube 53 are located between lugs 47 and 48. Thus, one lateral strip 63 is located between lug 47 and external tube 53, and the other lateral strip 63 is located between lug 48 and external tube 53. Pivot 70 is inserted in apertures (not numbered) made in lugs 47 and 48, primary apertures 64 of lateral strips 63 and apertures 532 of external tube 53. Pin 74 is inserted in an aperture 71 transversely made in pivot 70, thereby locking pivot 70. Thus, connective unit 60 is pivotable relative to crossbar 45 about pivot 70.

Now, pin 75 is inserted in a selected one of positioning apertures 65 of each lateral strip 63 and slots 533 of external tube 53, thereby preventing pivoting of external tube 53 of strut 51 relative to connective unit 60. However, external tube 53 of strut 51 is pivotable with connective unit 60. Now, recesses 66 are located below and at a distance from crossbar 45. Connecting elements 61 and 62 are located on two opposite sides of crossbar 45, thereby confining the pivoting of connective unit 60 relative to crossbar 45 in a range.

That is, pin 75 is insertable in various positioning apertures 65 to keep strut 51 at various angles relative to loop 14. The distance between the center of weight of strut 51 and pivot 70 is larger than the distance between pivot 70 and connecting element 61. Hence, protective unit 50 tends to pivot clockwise (FIG. 3), thereby keeping contact unit 52 and surface 14A of loop 14 at a height H. Height H is in proportion to total length L. Larger height H, larger total length L. Smaller height H, smaller total length L.

In the first embodiment, washer 72 is located between lug 48 and one lateral strip 63, and washer 73 is located between lug 47 and the other lateral strip 63. Pivot 70 is inserted in washers 72 and 73 to reduce the area of contact of lugs 47 and 48 with lateral strips 63. In another embodiment, washers 72 and 73 are replaced with bosses formed on lugs 47 and 48 to simplify the connection of connective unit 60 to frame 40.

In this embodiment, pad unit 80 includes a single solid pad 81 secured to a face of connecting element 61 near mount 46. Solid pad 81 can be abutted against mount 46 as connective unit 60 is pivoted. Thus, impact of connective unit 60 on mount 46 is reduced, and noise is also reduced.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, contact unit 52 is supported by strut 51 and in contact with body U1, from a left flank U5 to right flank U6 via belly U4, of the user who is walking or running on loop 14. Belly U4 is a central portion of body U1. Hence, contact unit 52 provides better support to the user by supporting belly U4 than supporting upper body U2 or lower body, thereby reducing the possibility of falling. It is helpful to use protective unit 50 on treadmill 10.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is a treadmill according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment is like the first embodiment except for two things. Firstly, pad unit 80 includes an additional pad 85. Pad 85 is preferably a tubular pad provided on and around connecting element 62. Pad 85 is adapted to contact crossbar 45 to reduce impact of connective unit 60 on crossbar 45 and reduce noise.

Secondly, pad unit 80 includes a spring-biased pad instead of pad 81. The spring-biased pad includes a threaded bolt 82, a compression spring 83 and a nut 84. Threaded bolt 82 includes a body and an enlarged head. The head of threaded bolt 82 is adapted to contact mount 46. The body of threaded bolt 82 is inserted in compression spring 83 and connecting element 61 before it is engaged with nut 84. The head of compression spring 83 and nut 84 are located on two opposite sides of connecting element 61, thereby allowing threaded bolt 82 to move freely and keeping threaded bolt 82 on connecting element 61 against compression spring 83. Compression spring 83 is compressed between the head of threaded bolt 82 and connecting element 61, thereby biasing the head of threaded bolt 82 toward mount 46. Compression spring 83 can be replaced with at least one elastic disc in another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 7, there is a treadmill according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment is like the first embodiment except that pad unit 80 includes an additional pad 86 secured to a portion of external tube 53 of strut 51 near crossbar 45. Pad 86 is a solid pad adapted for reducing impact of connective unit 60 and protective unit 50 on crossbar 45 and reduces noise.

Referring to FIG. 8, there is a treadmill according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The fourth embodiment is like the first embodiment except for two things. Firstly, each lateral strip 63 of connective unit 60 additionally includes a secondary aperture 641 near primary aperture 64. Secondly, connective unit 60 includes another pin 751 inserted in secondary apertures 641 of lateral strips 63 and apertures 532 of external tube 53 to pivotally connect protective unit 50 to connective unit 60. Pin 75 is inserted in positioning apertures 65 of lateral strips 63 and slots 533 of external tube 53 as mentioned above. Thus, external tube 53 of strut 51 is kept perpendicular to surface 14A of loop 14. Now, protective unit 50 is in a state suitable for storage.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, there is a treadmill according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The fifth embodiment is like the first embodiment except for several things. Firstly, strut 51 includes two supporting plates 55 instead of yoke 541. Supporting plates 55 are attached to two opposite sides of external tube 53 by welding. Each supporting plate 55 is made with an aperture 551 and a slot 552. Pivot 70 is inserted in apertures 551 of supporting plates 55. Pin 75 is inserted in slots 552 of supporting plates 55. Thus, supporting plates 55, which are secured to external tube 53, are connected to connective unit 60. Accordingly, external tube 53 does include any aperture or slot.

Secondly, internal tube 54 includes an arched plate 524 instead of yoke 541. Arched plate 524 is secured to an end of internal tube 54.

Thirdly, contact unit 52 includes a buffer 523 instead of buffers 521 and 522. Buffer 523 is attached to a face of arched plate 524 near the user. Arched plate 524 includes a connective portion 525 and a restricting portion 526 on an opposite face. Connective portion 525 is pivotally connected to internal tube 54. Restricting portion 526 is operable to confine the pivoting of contact unit 52 relative to internal tube 54 in a range.

Fourthly, pad unit 80 further includes a solid pad 862 secured to crossbar 45. Solid pad 862 is adapted to contact connecting element 62 and reduce impact of connective unit 60 on crossbar 45.

The present invention has been described via the illustration of the embodiments. Those skilled in the art can derive variations from the embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments shall not limit the scope of the present invention defined in the claims. 

1. A belly-supporting treadmill comprising: a base; a loop supported on the base; a strut supported on the base; and a contact unit connected to the strut and located above the loop, wherein the contact unit is adapted to contact a user's belly to prevent the user from falling while exercising on the loop.
 2. The belly-supporting treadmill according to claim 1, wherein the contact unit comprises a buffer selected from the group consisting of a tubular buffer and a planar buffer.
 3. The belly-supporting treadmill according to claim 1, wherein the strut is selected from the group consisting of a rod, a tube and a telescopic element.
 4. The belly-supporting treadmill according to claim 3, wherein the strut comprises: an external tube connected to the base; and an internal tube formed with a first end movably inserted in the external tube and a second end connected to the contact unit.
 5. The belly-supporting treadmill according to claim 1, further comprising a frame supported on the base, wherein the first the strut is pivotally connected to the frame at an end and connected to the contact unit at another end.
 6. The belly-supporting treadmill according to claim 5, further comprising a pad unit connected to one of the frame and the strut to reduce impact on the frame from the strut.
 7. The belly-supporting treadmill according to claim 5, further comprising a connective unit for pivotally connecting the strut to the frame and confining the pivoting of the contact unit relative to the frame in a range.
 8. The belly-supporting treadmill according to claim 7, wherein the connective unit comprises two lateral strips extending parallel to each other, wherein the strut is located between and pivotally connected to the lateral strips.
 9. The belly-supporting treadmill according to claim 8, wherein each of lateral strips comprises several positioning apertures, wherein a pin is inserted in a selected one of the positioning apertures of each of the lateral strips to confine the pivoting of the strut relative to the lateral strips in a range.
 10. The belly-supporting treadmill according to claim 7, further comprising a pad unit connected to one of the frame, the strut and the connective unit to reduce impact on the frame from one of the strut and the connective unit.
 11. The belly-supporting treadmill according to claim 10, wherein the pad unit comprises at least one pad.
 12. The belly-supporting treadmill according to claim 10, wherein the pad unit comprises: a threaded bolt formed with a head for contact with the frame and a body movably inserted in the connective unit; a nut engaged with the threaded bolt; and a spring compressed between the connective unit and the head of the threaded bolt, thereby biasing the head of the threaded bolt toward the frame. 